DEATH OF A LESSER MAN

“(Death of a Lesser Man) … is a terrific sequel to Curran’s The Rossiter File.”   The Globe and Mail

“Murder most foul, languorous free-spirited women, a green MG, shadowy political intrigue and post-World War II St. John’s all tangle up in the latest Inspector Stride mystery…”     CBC Books

“…a classically-shaped story that sets a demanding benchmark for integrating mystery (and) historical context with fully realized characters. Death of a Lesser Man is a novel that sticks with you beyond the climax and reminds you what a fine piece of writing can do for your soul.”    Hamilton Spectator

“…a first-class mystery from Newfoundland … Death of a Lesser Man is one of the finest mysteries to appear recently…”    Charlottetown Guardian

“Curran has a wonderful writing style, at once descriptive and sparse. If labels are needed in this genre, then Death of a Lesser Man would be a Literary Mystery. The pacing, the suspense, the puzzle are present…the writing engaging.”    Mystery Maven Canada

“Following the success of his first two novels set in St. John’s, Newfoundland … Thomas Rendell Curran’s Death of a Lesser Man maintains the same high standards. Curran also shines through his thorough knowledge of military history and the social climate during, between, and after the wars. Over all hovers a strict code of behaviour for the officers and men who marched off to war. (Curran’s) details are authentic and he never fails to create the right atmosphere for this dark and moody historical.”    Lou Allin, Author of the Belle Palmer Mysteries

“With Death of a Lesser Man, Curran seals his reputation as one of Canada’s top mystery writers. Curran wonderfully negotiates the mystery maze and the crime is finally solved on the final pages. Extraordinary! Really well paced and – as a mystery – a first-rate story with a great variety of interesting characters.”    David Cole, Author of the Laura Winslow Mysteries 

“Stride is back … The setting is unique, the main character is interesting, the secondary characters are well-drawn and the whodunit aspects are well-handled. The historical detail is abundant…”     Ottawa Citizen

“The evocation of (postwar) St. John’s is both solid and fresh. This is the third (Inspector) Stride mystery and the series reads better than ever.”     St. John’s Telegram

“The style of writing wasn’t quite what I was used to in a mystery story but at about the halfway point I was hooked. Curran is one sneaky dude. If you like your mysteries on the noir side and appreciate a slowly told story, I think you’ll enjoy Death of a Lesser Man. Recommended.”     Chrisbookarama, Nova Scotia.    

“Historical fans, as well as mystery fans are sure to enjoy Death of a Lesser Man as it brings the best of history and mystery together and combines them in a thoroughly realistic setting. Death of a Lesser Man is a captivating and thrilling read.”     Lost For Words

“Give top marks to Thomas Rendell Curran’s beautifully plotted Death of a Lesser Man. It meets the highest standards. The resolution of the mystery is elegant, entirely logical and clearly understandable.”     Waterloo Record

THE ROSSITER FILE

“Thomas Rendell Curran has followed up his brilliant debut novel, Undertow, with an even better second book…beautifully written and researched…”   Margaret Cannon, The Globe and Mail

“I draw an important distinction between a whodunit and a mystery. The former helps you to pass the time; the latter helps you to understand the time. Mr. Curran writes mysteries.”   John Chenier, The Hill Times, Ottawa

“Few crime books can immerse a reader in another culture as efficiently as Curran does … a book as elegant as it is mysterious.”   Mike Gillespie, The Ottawa Citizen

“With The Rossiter File, Thomas Rendell Curran’s Inspector Stride series graduates from promising to must-read… combines the qualities of an intriguing murder mystery with a well-researched historical novel.”   Joan Sullivan, The Telegram, St. John’s.

“Curran once again keeps his readers on their mettle until the very last page…”   John Perlin, WHIN Publications Limited.

“Curran has chosen a fascinating setting for his story … the mystery is really rooted in an earlier period of Newfoundland’s history when powerful merchant families dominated the colony’s political, economic, and social life … Stride is an engaging character with a past that underscores the occasionally thin line between enforcing the law and breaking it.”   Michael Payne, Canadian Book Review Annual

“The Rossiter File is a treat for lovers of history and mystery. Once again Thomas Rendell Curran proves that foggy, preconfederate St. John’s can be as intriguing as St Mary Mead and as full of villainy…”   Bernice Morgan, Author of Random Passage and Waiting for Time

“Thomas Rendell Curran’s new novel is a complex tale of murder and retribution. He pulls us into a post-war Newfoundland so real, so nuanced and so fascinating that we never want to leave. Read this book for the history. Read this book for the characters. Or read this book for the sheer elegance of the writing and the tale.”   Alex Brett, Author of the Morgan O’Brien Mysteries

UNDERTOW

“Curran captures the nuance and rhythm of Newfoundland speech, his prose is clear and his dialogue crisp. Curran is a writer to watch.”    Margaret Cannon, The Globe and Mail

“Undertow is terrific; Curran weaves an atmosphere-filled plot that’s the equal of the top British crime writers…”    Anthony Wilson-Smith, Maclean’s Magazine

“Undertow (has) a fascinating plot…and is a great read. Curran provide(s) a great sense of place in his descriptions of St. John’s of the postwar era.”   John Perlin, What’s Happening in Newfoundland and Labrador

“…historically interesting, Undertow offers a suspenseful journey… the author paints a convincing picture of the bleakness and majesty of Newfoundland.”   Mike Gillespie, The Ottawa Citizen

“Curran has evoked the time period beautifully…and moves the story along at a good pace…the story is well-delivered and sure to garner fans.”   Joan Sullivan, The Telegram, St. John’s

“I read the entire book in one sitting, unable to put it down…”   Pat Hayward, Downhomer Magazine, St. John’s

“The time is 1947 and the feeling one gets is of a black and white film…This is not a light mystery, it has substance and local interest.”   Independently Reviewed

“A superb debut – at once a first-class thriller and an evocative recreation of Newfoundland poised between the war and Confederation.”   Brian Bethune, Maclean’s Magazine